The Imp and The Peasant's Bread | BOSEM Class 10 English

 Class X
English Literature Reader
Chapter - 4

The Imp and The Peasant's Bread

Leo Tolstoy

I. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. How did the peasant react when his bread has been stolen?

Ans.: - The Peasant was saddened to lose his bread, which he had planned to eat for breakfast. However, he comforted himself by reasoning that whoever took it must have required it, and there was nothing he could do about it. He also expressed that he would not starve without his breakfast, and he hoped that the person who took the bread would benefit from it.

2. What was the imp's aim in stealing the bread?

Ans.: - The imp stole the bread with the intention of tempting the peasant to sin by cursing the thief and invoking the Devil.

3. What did the Devil fear when he heard of the imp's failure?

Ans.: - When the Devil learned that the imp had not succeeded in tempting the peasant to sin, but instead the peasant wished well upon the person stealing the bread, he became concerned that the peasant had outsmarted the imp. This indicated that the imp had failed to grasp his role. Furthermore, if other peasants and their wives followed suit, it would signify the potential demise of the Devil's influence in this world.

4. Why did the imp turn himself into a labouring man?

Ans.: - When the imp was unsuccessful in corrupting the peasant, the Devil threatened him with severe consequences, as it would jeopardize their business. The Devil granted him a three-year period to rectify the situation. Frightened, the imp hurried back to earth to make amends for his mistake. To stay near the peasant, the imp transformed himself into a labourer.

5. How did the peasant get more corn than he needed?

Ans.: - The imp, disguised as a labouring man, began working for a poor peasant. In the first year, he suggested that the peasant plant corn in a marshy area. Despite the dry weather that year, the peasant's corn flourished while the crops of other peasants failed. As a result, the peasant had an abundant harvest of corn. In the second year, the imp advised the peasant to sow his corn on a hill, and despite a wet summer that caused other crops to fail, the peasant reaped a bountiful harvest. Consequently, by following the imp's advice, the poor peasant ended up with more corn than he needed.

6. Describe the effects of the first two glasses of drink on the peasant and his friends.

Ans.: - After consuming their first drink, the peasant and his wealthy companions started engaging in insincere and flattering speeches towards each other. The alcohol made them cunning and sly, leading them to deceive one another in a manner reminiscent of foxes, as they wagged their tails and attempted to outmanoeuvre each other. As they consumed their second drink, their behaviour transformed, resembling that of savage wolves. Their conversations became more unruly and aggressive, escalating to the point where they began verbally abusing and snarling at each other. This eventually culminated in physical altercations, with the group resorting to punching each other's noses. Even the host became embroiled in the altercation and ended up being thoroughly beaten. These are the consequences of the initial two glasses of alcohol on the peasant and his companions.

7. "Wait a bit - the best is yet to come." What was the best?

Ans.: - After consuming their third glass of alcohol, the peasants transformed into something akin to brutes. They mumbled and yelled, seemingly without reason, and paid no attention to each other. Soon, the gathering started to disperse, with the guests stumbling down the street. The host, a peasant, went out to assist his guest, but ended up falling face-first into a puddle, covering himself from head to toe and lying there grunting like a hog. According to the imp, this was the highlight of the evening.

II. Answer the following questions in about 80 words each.

1. "That's the man who did not grudge his only crust." Bring out the significance of the imp's statement.

Ans.: - The mischievous imp corrupted the peasant, leading to the peasant's prosperity and the imp's redemption. Subsequently, the imp brought his master, the Devil, to witness the outcome of his work. Together, they visited the peasant's home, where a lively party was in progress. The peasant, now affluent, had invited his wealthy neighbours and was generously entertaining them with a homemade drink distilled from excess corn.

The once honest peasant had followed the imp's advice to seek pleasure by utilizing the gifts bestowed upon him by God, which resulted in his newfound wealth. However, this transformation also revealed a darker side to his nature. His inherent traits, akin to those of a fox, wolf, and swine, surfaced, causing him to behave like a beast. This was evident when he angrily scolded his wife in front of others for a minor accident involving spilled wine. The imp seized this opportunity to draw the Devil's attention to the peasant's change, highlighting that the same man who had selflessly shared his last crust of bread now displayed greed and brutality.

This observation by the imp is significant as it underscores the true nature of humanity. It illustrates how individuals, when possessing little, are often untroubled by loss, yet when abundance is attained, greed and savagery can overshadow kindness and compassion.

2. "I can't find drink for everyone who comes along." Comment on the change in the character of the speaker in the light of the given statement.

Ans.: - The imp corrupted the peasant, ultimately redeeming himself. He then presented the outcome of his work to his master, the Devil, who accompanied him to the peasant's house. Upon arrival, they discovered a lively party hosted by the once-humble peasant, who had invited his affluent neighbours and was generously treating them to a drink made by crushing excess corn and distilling spirit from it.

The honest peasant had prospered by following the imp's advice, seeking pleasure through the use of the gifts bestowed upon him by God. However, as he attained wealth, his inherent virtues diminished, and he transformed into a beast, as evidenced when he callously refused to offer a drink to a poor peasant who had joined the gathering after a day's labour.

This stark change in behaviour demonstrated the detrimental influence of wealth, illustrating how a man, if not vigilant, can lose his essence and devolve into a brute. The transformation exemplifies the true nature of humanity, depicting how abundance can breed greed and savagery, leading to the erosion of kindness and compassion.

3. "The blood of the beast is always in man." Write how the imp shows it.

Ans.: - After the imp felt that he had atoned for his actions by leading the peasant into sin, he approached his master and urged him to witness the outcome of his efforts. Subsequently, the Devil and the imp visited the peasant's residence.

There, they observed a gathering organized by the peasant for his wealthy acquaintances. During the event, the host reprimanded his wife for spilling a glass of wine while serving drinks to others. He also spoke unkindly when a poor peasant requested a small amount of wine. As the guests and the host indulged in multiple rounds of drinks, they began behaving like animals (foxes, wolves, and swine) – displaying aggressive, savage, and wild behaviour, becoming louder, and even engaging in physical altercations that resulted in them falling into the mud.

The devil was astonished by these events and concluded that the drink must have been concocted from the blood of animals, leading the men to act in such a bestial manner. However, the imp clarified that he had not taken such actions. His only intervention was to provide the peasant with more grain than he required and persuade him to convert God's gift of grain into liquor. The imp understood that the inclination towards bestial behaviour resides within man, but remains subdued as long as he has only enough grain to meet his needs. This is why the poor peasant did not resent the theft of his meagre portion. However, when he had surplus grain, he sought ways to derive pleasure from it. The imp diligently exploited the situation to his advantage and ultimately ruined the peasant. He demonstrated to the peasant how God's bountiful gifts could be transformed into liquor. The imp recognized that when liquor enters a man's body, the animalistic tendencies emerge, and as long as man continues to drink, he will remain in a bestial state.

4. Bring out the moral of the story 'The Imp and the Peasant's Bread."

Ans.: - The parable "The Imp and the Peasant's Bread," written by Leo Tolstoy, explores the theme that every human being, no matter how good, harbors a dormant devil within. It emphasizes the idea that alcoholism can bring out the beast-like nature in individuals. The story conveys the wisdom in the imp's words to the Devil, highlighting the notion that the animalistic tendencies within humans are restrained when their needs are met, but emerge when they seek excessive pleasure from God's gifts, such as making liquor.

When the peasant had little, he worked diligently and displayed a selfless attitude when his crust of bread was stolen, attributing a greater need to the thief and maintaining an understanding demeanour. However, as his possessions grew, he became possessive and quick to anger, reluctant to share his abundance with others. This change in behaviour demonstrates the negative impact of wealth accumulation and the corruption it can bring about in individuals. Tolstoy's philosophy, conveyed through the story, warns against the detrimental effects of excessive wealth accumulation and the resulting moral degradation in individuals.

In summary, "The Imp and the Peasant's Bread" by Leo Tolstoy serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of wealth accumulation and the potential for moral decline in individuals.